He spoke at a special In Person event and screening of the Jean-Jacques Beiniex drama Diva, and also discussed his other Beniex films like the iconic Betty Blue.

But Dominique, who is perhaps best known for his lengthy association with Jean-Pierre Jeunet in films like Amelie, Micmacs, Delicatessen and even Alien Resurrection, said he especially loves his time working in Scotland for his recurring role in Scots time travel drama Outlander.

In the Starz series, he plays the mysterious Master Raymond who helps leading lady Claire, played by Caitriona Balfe.

He admits he has been taken aback by the show’s booming popularity.“I am enjoying Scotland, I met many Scots on my first morning. I was walking by the castle and met people who were happy to recognize me from Outlander. They told me the show is very big in Scotland, and season two has been very successful.

“At first I knew nothing of the show as season one hadn’t been shown in France but they introduced me to the story, and now people in France are discovering season one and two.”

And he said he was delighted to get the coveted gig: “I was called by my agent who said the production team of Outlander wanted a screen test in Paris, and when I was picked to play the part, I was so happy.

“I enjoy working in English, it is like another mask to play with, and of course I have to work a lot before getting on the set in order to be ready to enjoy myself. It requires some more work than usual, but I enjoy it very much to play with the language.”

And he has special praise for his co-star Balfe.

“I love the show, you really travel when you play in it, it’s all very well done and well written and I enjoy playing so much with Caitriona Balfe, who is my partner in season two. It was really a gift.”

As well as learning about the show, Dominique, 61, from the Loire region in France, has been updating his knowledge of Scotland since filming his scenes in the Outlander studios in Cumbernauld.

And with the show’s Jacobite setting, the Auld Alliance is now required reading for the Frenchman.

He said: “I am beginning to realise that, a lot of people talk about it and I am very conscious of that. I wasn’t aware of the special link before doing Outlander. I put my nose into the history and it is evident now of course.”

Dominique visited Edinburgh for the Cinema du Look strand of the film festival, including works by Beiniex, Luc Besson and Leos Carax.He said: “I am enjoying Edinburgh. In France, we know about the rivalry between Edinburgh and Glasgow, in France we say that Edinburgh is a royal city, and Glasgow is the workers’ city.”

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And Dominique said he hopes to be back sooner rather than later.

“Master Raymond is a character apart, at the same time he is very sympathetic and has a bit of a mystery about him. I hope I will return, I understand that I might be a time traveler too.”